THE DESTINY IS TOO HARD

Chapter 17: The Final Council

With the power of the Heart of Aeridor flowing through them, Sam and his group knew that the time for preparation was over. The final confrontation with the Shadow Dragon was at hand. But before they faced their enemy, Sam decided to convene a council, a gathering of all their allies, to plan their strategy and unite their forces.

Messengers were sent to all the dragon-related sects and free cities that had pledged their support. They traveled far and wide, carrying Sam's call to arms, urging everyone to join them in the fight against the darkness.

From distant mountain peaks, ancient dragon riders answered the call, their majestic steeds soaring through the sky. From hidden forest enclaves, wise human mages emerged, their eyes gleaming with ancient knowledge. From fortified cities, brave warriors marched forth, their hearts filled with determination.

They all converged on a neutral ground, a vast plain located near the ruins of an ancient battlefield. The site was chosen for its symbolic significance, a reminder of the devastating war against the Shadow Dragon in the past and the need to prevent such a catastrophe from happening again.

As the allies arrived, Sam stood at the center of the plain, alongside Juve, the Ancient Dragon, Ronan, and the elders of Aeridor. He watched as the diverse groups of warriors, mages, and dragon riders assembled, their banners fluttering in the wind.

The sight filled him with a sense of hope and determination. He knew that they faced a formidable enemy, but he also knew that they were not alone. They had gathered a force capable of challenging the Shadow Dragon and its minions.

The council began. Sam, as the leader of the group carrying the Dragon Hearts, took the lead, his voice resonating with authority and conviction.

"My friends," he said, addressing the assembled allies. "We have come here today to decide the fate of our world. The Shadow Dragon has returned, its power greater than ever before. Its darkness spreads, corrupting everything it touches. We have seen the suffering it has caused, the lives it has destroyed. We cannot allow it to continue. We must stand together and fight."

He shared with them everything they had learned on their journey: the secrets of the ancient dragons, the power of the Dragon Hearts, and the Shadow Dragon's past. He explained the importance of maintaining balance and the need to protect the world from the encroaching darkness.

The allies listened intently, their faces filled with a mixture of awe and concern. Some had heard rumors of the Shadow Dragon's return, but few had grasped the full extent of its power.

When Sam finished speaking, a hush fell over the crowd. Then, a voice rose from among the dragon riders.

"We have fought the Shadow Dragon before," a grim-faced woman with piercing eyes said. "We know its cruelty and its strength. We lost many in that war, both dragons and humans. But we will not back down. We will fight again, for our homes, for our families, for our future."

Her words were met with a chorus of agreement. The other dragon riders roared their approval, their voices echoing across the plain.

A human mage stepped forward, his long white beard flowing in the wind. "We have studied the ancient texts," he said, his voice filled with wisdom. "We have foreseen this day. The prophecy speaks of a hero who will unite the dragon bloodlines and wield the ancient magic to defeat the darkness. We believe that hero is among us."

He looked at Sam, his eyes glowing with a faint, ethereal light. "We believe that you are the one, the chosen of the Dragon Hearts."

Sam felt a surge of emotion. He had never sought to be a hero, but he knew that he had been given this responsibility. He accepted it with humility and resolve.

"I will do everything in my power to fulfill the prophecy," he said. "But I cannot do it alone. I need your help. I need your strength, your courage, your wisdom. We must fight together, as one."

The leaders of the other groups pledged their support. The warriors vowed to fight with all their might, the mages promised to unleash their most powerful spells, and the dragon riders swore to take to the skies and rain fire upon their enemies.

Juve stepped forward, her voice ringing out with passion and conviction. "We have come from different places," she said, "and we have different skills. But we share a common goal: to defeat the Shadow Dragon and protect our world. We are united by our courage, our determination, and our belief in the power of hope. We will not be defeated!"

Her words ignited a fire in the hearts of the allies. They cheered and raised their weapons, their voices echoing across the plain. They were ready to fight.

The council continued, with Sam and the other leaders discussing their strategy. They knew that they could not hope to defeat the Shadow Dragon in a direct confrontation. Its power was too great. They had to find a way to weaken it, to exploit its weaknesses.

The ancient texts provided some clues. They spoke of a ritual that could disrupt the Shadow Dragon's connection to the source of its power, a dark energy that flowed from another dimension. The ritual required the combined energy of all the Dragon Hearts and the power of the ancient magic.

Sam and the others realized that this was their best chance. They had to perform the ritual, but they also had to protect themselves from the Shadow Dragon's attacks.

They decided to divide their forces. One group, led by Sam and Juve, would travel to the Shadow Dragon's fortress, a dark and forbidding citadel located in the heart of its corrupted territory. They would carry the Dragon Hearts and perform the ritual.

The other group, led by Ronan and the other leaders, would serve as a diversion, attacking the Shadow Dragon's forces and drawing its attention away from Sam and his group. They would fight with all their might, buying Sam and Juve the time they needed to complete the ritual.

The plan was risky, but it was their only hope. They knew that many would not survive the coming battle, but they were willing to sacrifice themselves for the greater good.

As the council drew to a close, Sam looked at the faces of his allies. He saw courage, determination, and a willingness to fight for what they believed in. He knew that they were ready.

"We go now," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "May the Dragon Hearts guide us and protect us. May we fight with honor and courage. And may we bring light to the darkness and restore balance to our world!"

The allies roared their approval, their voices echoing across the plain. They embraced each other, knowing that they might never see each other again.

Then, they set off, two groups heading in different directions, each with a different mission, but united by a common purpose: to defeat the Shadow Dragon and save their world. The final battle had begun.